Chapter 365: Distribution (2)

Chapter 365: Distribution (2)

Although Napoleon worked hard, anything within Joseph's purview, well, that guy was a tyrant. He never listened to reasonable opinions. So, despite Napoleon's efforts to persuade his elder brother, he left Joseph's office with a sullen expression, having failed to convince him.

However, as soon as he stepped out, Napoleon's displeasure vanished. He got into a carriage, his face beaming with a smile, and headed back to his own Tuileries Palace, which had now transformed into the seat of government.

Back at the seat of government, Napoleon settled in his office, and his secretary, Nino, informed him, "Your Excellency, Mr. Laplace has been waiting for you for some time."

"Ah, please, let him in," Napoleon replied.

Nino turned and left, and soon after, Pierre-Simon Laplace, the head of the Paris High School and vice president of the French Academy of Sciences, followed Nino into the room.

"Ah, Mr. Laplace, please take a seat," Napoleon said, rising as Laplace entered.

"Thank you, thank you," Laplace said, sitting down on a nearby chair, looking at Napoleon, appearing hesitant to speak.

Napoleon naturally understood Laplace's intent. So, he took a sip of water and said, "Mr. Laplace, I just came from my elder brother Joseph's— that stubborn fellow's place. Yes, regarding the Prometheus Award matter. That guy is really stubborn and protective, hmm, you've dealt with him quite a bit, I'm sure you know."

Laplace listened intently but stayed silent. He knew Napoleon and his elder brother had a good relationship. Despite Napoleon's critical remarks here, this was something only Napoleon could do; others were better off not meddling.

"I argued with him all day. He insisted that the first mathematics award must go to his assistant Gauss. Hmm, you know, he's so stubborn and protective. So, I berated him for favoritism, and then he berated me... In the end, he agreed to make a certain concession. He promised to reserve a spot for the Paris High School in the coming years."

"Reserve a spot for the Paris High School in both the coming years? Even next year?" Laplace was surprised.

After saying this, a thought suddenly popped into Laplace's mind: "Ah, if only I'd known earlier, perhaps this position should have been offered to Lagrange."

"President Laplace, you're indeed someone who considers the bigger picture," Napoleon said happily.

After resolving the distribution of the major awards, Napoleon proceeded to attend to what was most important to him now — the matter of the Olympics.

Meanwhile, in Rome, beneath the noble Pope's crown, a group of cardinals and archbishops were discussing dispatching investigators to Austria.

"Directly accusing His Majesty Franz of ** crime will greatly damage our relations with Austria, even if we later absolve him. While we can't disregard the intentions of the French, after all, none of us wish to leave Rome..." The Pope sighed and continued, "But to completely fall out with Austria over this or suffer great losses isn't ideal. Recently, one of our priests proposed a new idea. Conti, please share your thoughts with everyone."

A young priest approached, bowed,

and then spoke: "Your Holiness, esteemed bishops, both His Majesty Franz and we know who's driving this investigation, what they aim to achieve, and that we— whether the Vatican or Vienna—can't resist them. However, the accusation doesn't sound pleasant. So, why not be flexible?"

"How so?" asked one of the bishops.

"We can send an emissary to Vienna to investigate. Then, His Majesty Franz becomes very angry with our emissary, leading to a misunderstanding and conflict. As a result of his anger, he behaves somewhat excessively, humiliating our envoy. Then, we use this as a reason to announce revoking His Majesty Franz's title as the 'Emperor of the Romans'..."

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